Longlegs: Release date, trailer, cast, plot & more
NeonNot long to wait for the anticipated 2024 horror movie Longlegs — here’s everything we know so far, from release date and cast details to plot, trailers, and more.
If you’re a horror junkie, 2024 looks set to be your year. Already we’ve had horror-comedy with Lisa Frankenstein, then there’s two nun-based religious horrors Immaculate and The First Omen, and, most exciting of all, Art the Clown’s anticipated return in Terrifier 3.
But perhaps none have sparked quite so much intrigue as Longlegs. Directed by Oz Perkins, Neon is distributing and its marketing campaign has been nothing short of genius, echoing the elusive eeriness of Skinamarink and Hereditary.
With Longlegs dropping this year, here’s everything you need to know about the film — including those creepy teasers.
Longlegs release date: When’s it out?
Longlegs drops in US and UK cinemas on July 12, 2024.
In November 2022, Deadline reported that Perkins would be directing the movie from a script he wrote, saying at the time it would “be in the vein of classic Hollywood psychological thrillers.”
After the cast was built, filming took place between January and February 2023, around the same time Neon picked up the distribution rights.
Longlegs cast: Who’s in it?
Nicolas Cage is playing the titular serial killer in the Longlegs cast, as well as serving as producer. He’s joined by:
- Maika Monroe as FBI agent Lee Harker
- Blair Underwood as Agent Carter
- Alicia Witt as Ruth Harker
- Dakota Daulby as Agent Horatio Fisk
- Kiernan Shipka as Carrie Anne Camera
- Lisa Chandler
- Erin Boyes
- Rryla McIntosh
- Charles Jarman
- Michelle Cyr
Although a number of the roles are undisclosed at the time of writing, we do know that Monroe — who has proven her skills in the horror genre with her leading turn in It Follows — will be hot on the tail of Cage’s killer… or will it be vice-versa?
Speaking about Longlegs back in November 2022, Cage told Document: “He’s [Perkins] pretty strong in the horror genre at the moment. But he’s actually Anthony [Perkins’s] son. He’s done some really good movies. Gretel and Hansel was terrific.
“It’s about a character who’s hearing voices. It’s kind of like a possessed Geppetto, who’s making these dolls… So, I’m gonna be doing that with Oz, who’s also an actor, and I’m excited about that.”
Is there a Longlegs trailer?
Yes, the official trailer for Longlegs dropped in May 2024 and it’s about as unsettling as it gets – check it out below:
Alongside the trailer, the studio wrote: “As many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
Kicking off with atmospheric music, the opening scene shows Harker hearing the creepy calling sound of the eponymous killer outside of her home. She heads out to see who’s there, only to turn around and see him inside.
The camera cuts to Harker working on a murder case, where the killer has left a letter at the scene of the crime containing occult-like symbols and signed “Longlegs.” But arguably the creepiest moment unfolds next, when a teenage girl is confronted by Cage’s killer.
Sinister shots follow, with a girl looking out the window of her home to see a stranger’s car parked outside, Harker opening a book titled ‘Nine Circles of Hell’, and a whole lot of axe action.
Prior to this, Neon was praised for its Longlegs campaign, having kicked off on January 5 with a cryptic teaser that gave nothing away about the movie — not even the title. Take a look:
Titled ‘Every year there is another’, the clip starts with an old family photo as a 911 call audio plays alongside chilling music. When the operator picks up, a panicked man whispers, “That’s not my daughter… I’ve got to be quiet.” Right at the end, we see what looks like a crime scene photo, this one of a girl’s long legs.
Then, on January 12, a new teaser titled ‘Remember to say your prayers’ landed – and you can watch it below:
In the clip, eerie music plays as a man holding a torchlight brushes hay to the side to reveal a crucifix on the floor. He uses a crowbar to lift up the floorboards beneath it, revealing a wooden box with a note on top.
As this is unfolding, the audio of a phone call plays, with a woman saying: “Are you still saying your prayers? Our prayers protect us from the devil.” Meanwhile, images of crime scene photos flash on the screen.
Neon also dropped a series of sinister posters at the end of January, which you can admire below:
In June 2024, a billboard advertising the movie was spotted featuring a phone number tempting people to call. If you do, you’ll hear a a horrific message from Cage’s killer.
He says, “(Heavy breathing) There she is… what’s your name?… Little angel?… Nice to meet you… (heavy breathing and moaning)… I’ll be waiting.”
The creepy campaign has generated plenty of hype, with the full trailer earning nearly 10 million views on YouTube as of June.
Longlegs plot: What’s it about?
Longlegs sees FBI Agent Lee Harker, a gifted newbie, assigned to the unsolved case of an elusive serial killer. As she digs deeper, evidence of the occult emerges. When Harker discovers a personal connection to the ruthless killer, she must race against time to stop him before he claims the lives of another family.
We learned more about the plot in the posters, which suggest the film will be set in the ‘70s — although this is yet to be confirmed. One of the central crimes appears to be the murder of a family, whose bodies are seen propped up against each other in one of the stills.
That’s everything we know about Longlegs so far — we’ll be sure to keep this post updated with any new details that emerge. Until then, check out our ranking of the best horror movies of all time. If you’re looking for something fresh to watch, here are all the best new movies headed to streaming this month.